Page 7

CHAPTER 7

Diesel

I spend what’s left of the night taking tactical naps, checking on Eizlee, sitting on the couch, plotting, and listening outside Willow’s door.

The first time I noticed a soft sound coming from her room, she was crying. I almost went in. Later it was a whimpering, mewling sound. I tapped gently on the door. The sounds ceased and I heard the mattress shift, but she didn’t respond. I suspect she was having a nightmare, and the sound was enough to rouse her from the dream.

I wanted to go to her, ask her what was wrong. Hold her and wipe her tears. I held back for fear that me going into her room would frighten her even more. It’s evident in the way she tries to hold herself apart that she’s scared of something or someone. Her defensive posture, how she stands back at least six feet, and how she always looks on the verge of running.

There’s more going on than she’s telling me. Diego senses it too. I need to go slow, earn her trust, but we may not have time. I want the bastard who murdered my sister.

I prep breakfast and put on a second pot of coffee. I’m sitting at my computer at the counter when I get a text from Raven.

Raven: I couldn’t find anyone on the club records by the name of Ryrden. Not totally surprising since he’s a cop being paid under the table. I checked with personnel and there’s no one with that first or last name on the force. I need a photo or Willow to work with a sketch artist.

Raven: “I want this bastard and his cronies. Yesterday.”

Diesel: “We may have another option. Can I send you a list of food items I need for Eizlee, and some clothes and a special order I need picked up? I’ll send you the pickup info. Have Diego do the special order. I’d like both of you to come so I can explain my plan.”

Raven: “Why do I feel I’m not going to like this?”

I chuckle to myself.

Diesel: “Knowing what I do about you, you’re gonna love it.”

Willow joins me a little while later with Eizlee in her arms. “What’s going on?”

Closing my computer, I cross to the two of them, kissing my little one on the forehead. I’m pleased she’s cuddling the elephant.

“I’ve got breakfast warming and Raven and Diego are going to bring more food, toys and a highchair. Do you mind holding her while I dish up the food. Then I can feed her while you eat.”

She nods. “I-I’m glad you have good friends to help. I-ah-maybe I should go, get out of your way. You have your friends.”

“Please stay. Willow, I could really use your help a few more days. They can’t help with Eizlee. Besides, she trusts you and so do I. I’ll double the pay. Please stay.”

She starts to shake her head. “No, I don’t need more money. It’s… I don’t want to be in the way.”

“You aren’t. You’re a life saver right now. And the baby’s security.

“It’s just a few more days. She doesn’t deserve to have any more drastic changes in her life. There are some things I need to do. She knows you and it’s obvious she loves you. Both of you will be safe here. I promise.

“Think about it while we eat.”

Remembering that Vicky made happy face pancakes and bacon for breakfast when I was here. I made a stack with bacon on the side for all of us and place the oven tray on the counter. The syrup is already warmed.

Eizlee sits on Willow’s lap and immediately sticks her finger in the pancake as I slide her plate across the counter to her. “Eye.”

“Yes. Sweet girl. That’s an eye.”

Willow smiles and kisses the top of her head. Cradling her in her lap, she cuts bites and feeds them to her in between the bites of bacon.

Raven and Diego show up with the requested supplies a couple hours later. He’s carrying the highchair in one arm and slaps the special order against my chest with the other. “Sure as hell hope you have an explanation for that.”

“I do. Will you help Willow with the groceries? I’ll be right back.”

The timing is perfect since we just put Eizlee down for her nap. After changing, I pour fresh coffee for all and carry the tray to the living room.

After everyone’s seated, I pull out a folding chair from the closet and place it across from them and take my place.

“Have you learned anything more?” I ask.

“The club sold about five years ago to a privately owned company. I’m trying to find out who’s behind the new ownership and the name. Diego reached out to his cyber guru but we’re still waiting. I want this damn Ryrden and his cronies.”

“What do you know about Swagger the club?” I ask. “The male dancers? Have there been other missing staff, waitress or bartenders reported?”

“Not specifically tied to the club. To get their employment records to cross reference deaths I’d have to get a subpoena. For that I’d have to have a damn good reason.

“The department gets the bodies, we don’t always know where the people worked. And if the families don’t contest the death…. We don’t have the manpower.”

“The cops on the take, they’re good,” I add. “Covering their bases. Probably hand in hand with the new management. Using fake names. Given what happened to my sister I’d say this isn’t the first time they’ve set up like this.”

“I’d agree.” She grimaces. “If we could get photos. But your guy said there’s no cameras inside that he could tap into and nothing on the street outside.

“So, what we need is someone on the inside who can get us photos or info on the guy calling himself Ryrden.”

“No. I won’t risk any of my officers. It’s too dangerous until we know more. If they are cops, they could recognize my people.”

“I’m not talking any of your officers. I’m talking about a dancer, a player who can buddy up and play the role. I’m talking about me.”

“It won’t work. You need to have years of training to be a dancer. You can’t just walk in and drop your pants and sell it.”

“You know I grew up in Vegas, my mom was a stripper and a hooker?”

“And reading a book on surgery doesn’t make you a surgeon,” she snaps back.

“I can do this.”

“No, absolutely not,” Raven snaps. “I’m in charge of this investigation and it’s a hell no. You have to be able to do more than wiggle your ass to be a dancer.”

“That’s right. I forgot you were a dancer. Right?” I smile. I’m used to being overlooked for certain things. That’s always made me good at what I do.

Standing I ask, if anyone else want more coffee.

At the counter, I hit the app for the song I queued. A hard pulsing beat starts to play over the speakers.

Rolling my shoulders, I inhale deeply, closing my eyes to get into my groove. Strutting across the room, I spin the chair so that I straddle the seat and thrust my hips forward to the beat. Rolling off, I glide toward Raven and hold out my hand for her to join me.

“Hell no,” Diego snarls. “She can watch.”

Raising an eyebrow I turn to Willow. Blushing, she shakes her head. “Help me show them,” I whisper.

Reluctantly, she takes my hand and rises to her feet.

I slow dance her toward the chair holding her loosely in my arms and let my knee slip between her thighs. Something I wouldn’t do on the dance floor, but this is Willow.

Willow who calls to me on a sensual level I haven’t felt this strongly in a very long time. When sex is a job, it loses some of its appeal. With this woman it’s coming back in spades.

I want more with her. I want heart and body.

Pretending to brush my fingertips down her arms, I cup her hand and bring it to my lips. I can’t resist planting a kiss on her palm then sucking one digit into my mouth. Her gasp and lowered gaze let me know she’s not as immune to me as she pretends.

Enfolding her hands with mine, I bring them to the front of my shirt, then in a move to look like she did it, I pull it open letting the fabric slide off my shoulders to expose my back and chest. Circling her, I lean in close enough to feel her heat, smell her essence.

Once I’ve seated her in the chair, I continue to perform body rolls, bumping and grinding the air between me and the floor. Circling and stalking her, getting close enough to air brush her whole body with my moves. Ending the song with a knee slide and thrust right in front of her.

Silence fills the room.

Standing, I take Willow’s hands and kiss the backs. “Thank you.”

Raven clears her throat. “Who the hell are you?”

Grabbing my tearaway shirt from the floor I slip it back on and drop into a chair. “Back in the day when I was performing, I was known as D-Man. I was one of the headliners when I left Swagger to join the Army.”

“There’s no way. You wouldn’t have been old enough.”

“I wasn’t. I had a fake ID and name. Denzel. I also insisted they pay me under the table. Which they were happy to do.”

“Why?” Diego asks.

“My sister and I were living on the street. She was four years older but––vulnerable. Vicky was just getting drug-free after breaking up with an asshole boyfriend. She needed something stable to pull herself together.

“I’d been picking up shit jobs at construction sites, mostly the heavy labor. I was in pretty good shape and big for my age, but I was also trying to get through school and needed day hours open. I heard this guy bragging about how much he made dancing and whoring.” I hold Raven’s gaze. “I spent every dime I had on fake papers and went to work.

“I’d been around strip joints and hookers from the day I was born. Vicky was not cut out for the life. In two weeks, I had us in a place with a real bed. In another month we had a two-bedroom apartment. I was eating at the best restaurants in town on my clients dime. Vic was getting counseling and had a job as a waitress.

“When I turned eighteen, she was stable. I had enough in a savings account for a year’s rent for her. I joined the army.”

“Have you talked to Jed and Steel about your plan?” Diego eyes me.

“Early this morning.”

“They know all this. They’ve got more support for us since we don’t know who we can trust?”

“Hell, you know Jed and Steel. With I-Tee on the keyboard they always know everything. Or will soon.”

“We’ll need someone else. Busboy or something as backup for you.”

“Excuse me,” Raven snaps. “Did the two of you forget I’m here? Who’s in charge?”

Diego smiles, “Babe, it’s you. But we can give you plausible deniability.”

“Please, Diesel. You can’t.” Willow looks at me with worried, pleading eyes. “They’re dangerous. They do things at that club. People are tricked. You could be hurt. And… and Eizlee needs you.”

“That’s why I need you to stay here and take care of her until this is over. I will pay you. The company says it’s all covered. Diego and Raven will keep an eye on you and everything you need will be brought to you. I know you like to go to the park, but for now I need you to stay put unless Diego or I can take you. This shouldn’t take long. We just need to get photos of this guy Ryrden and see who he really is.”

“What’s your plan to get in?” Raven asks.

“They still have my poster up, which surprised me, but it makes it easier. I’ll shave off my beard and go in like I’m reliving the good old days. Hint that I’m thinking of opening my own place. See if they’d like me to headline a couple nights for them to build my hype.”

“You’re going to get yourself killed. And then who is Eizlee going to have?” Willow pushes from her chair and heads to the baby’s room.